Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Oct. 31 that if elected, I would uphold the honor NOTE: The President spoke at 4:25 p.m. at and the dignity of the office. With your the University Air Center. In his remarks, help, with your hard work, I will do so he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; Car- for 4 more years. ole Jean Jordan, chairman, Republican Party Thanks for coming. God bless. Thank of Florida; entertainers the Bellamy Broth- you all. ers; and former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.

Remarks in , October 31, 2004

The President. Thank you all. Thank you I’m proud to be here with Senator Jim all for coming. I am here to ask for your Bunning from , and I hope the vote, and I am here to ask for your help. citizens of Kentucky put him back into of- We have come to the great city of Cin- fice. And we love Mary as well. cinnati, Ohio, asking for you to turn your Steve Chabot, the Congressman from friends and neighbors out to the polls on this district, is with us. Congressman, thank Tuesday. With your help, we will carry you. My friend Congressman Rob Portman Ohio again and win a great victory on Tues- is with us tonight. Thank you for being day. here, Rob. Perhaps the most important reason of all The Lieutenant Governor from Ohio, to put me back into office is so that Laura Jennette Bradley, is with us. State Treas- will be the First Lady for 4 more years. urer Joe ‘‘Write in My Name’’ Deters is I’m proud of my runningmate, Dick Che- with us. I want to thank Betty Montgomery. ney. I admit it, he does not have the I want to thank all the State and local offi- cials. I want to thank Mike Sodrel, who waviest hair in the race. [Laughter] You is from the Indiana Ninth Congressional all will be happy to know I didn’t pick District. I strongly support Mike’s bid for him because of his hairdo. I picked him the Congress. And I strongly because of his judgment, his experience. support the bid of Geoff Davis from Ken- He’s getting the job done for the American tucky’s Fourth Congressional District. people. I want to thank my friend Anthony I want to thank one of Cincinnati’s great Munoz for being here today. I’m proud citizens, Johnny Bench, for having intro- to call him friend. Marty Brennaman. I duced me today. We can judge a person want to thank my friend Larry Gatlin and by the company he keeps, and I’m keeping brother Rudy for joining us today. Yes. I good company up here on this stage. I’m want to thank the Wil Gravatt Band. proud you’re here, Johnny. Thank you very But most of all, I want to thank you much. all. I want to thank the people who have I’m proud to be here with some elected been putting up the signs and making the officials from the great State of Ohio. Gov- phone calls and doing all the hard work. ernor and First Lady Hope Taft You’re turning out this vote on Tuesday. are with us. Thank you for coming. Senator This election takes place in a time of Mike DeWine. Senator great consequence. The person who sits in is out campaigning, but put him back into the Oval Office for the next 4 years will office for 6 more years. set the course of the war on terror and

2889 Oct. 31 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 the direction of our economy. America will This election comes down to clear need strong, determined, optimistic leader- choices on five vital issues facing every ship, and I am ready to get the job done American family. The first clear choice con- for 4 more years. cerns your family’s budget. When I ran for Audience members. Four more years! President 4 years ago, I pledged to lower Four more years! Four more years! taxes for American families. I kept my The President. My 4 years as your Presi- word. We doubled the child credit. We re- dent confirmed some lessons and taught duced the marriage penalty. We believe the some new ones. I’ve learned to expect the Tax Code ought to encourage, not penalize unexpected. I’ve learned firsthand how hard marriage. We reduced taxes on everybody it is to send young men and women into who pays taxes. As a result of these good battle. I am grateful for the lessons I have policies, real after-tax income—the money learned from my parents: Respect every in your pocket to spend on groceries or person; do your best; live every day to its house payments or rent—is up 10 percent fullest. I’ve been strengthened by my faith since I took office. and humbled by its reminder that every When you’re out there convincing your life is part of a larger story. I understand friends and neighbors to vote, remind them how crucial it is for the American President what our economy has been through. Six months prior to my arrival in Washington, to lead with clarity and purpose. As Presi- the stock market was in serious decline. dents from Lincoln to Roosevelt to Reagan And then we faced the recession and cor- so clearly demonstrated, a President must porate scandals and an attack on our coun- not shift with the wind. A President has try that cost us a million jobs in just 3 to make tough decisions and stand by them. months after the attack. The role of the President is not to follow But we acted. Our economy is creating the path of the latest polls. The role of jobs and growing faster than any major a President is to lead based on principle economy in the world. We’ve added— and conviction and conscience. During homeownership rate is at an alltime high these 4 years, I’ve learned that whatever in America. More minorities own a home your strengths are, you are going to need today than ever before in our Nation’s his- them, and whatever your shortcomings are, tory. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong. people will notice them. Sometimes I’m a Small businesses are flourishing all across little too blunt. I get that from my mother. the State of Ohio. Ohio farmers are making [Laughter] Sometimes I mangle the English a living. We added more than 1.9 million language. I get that from my dad. [Laugh- new jobs in the last 13 months. The na- ter] But all the time, whether you agree tional unemployment rate is 5.4 percent. with me or not, you know where I stand, That’s lower than the average rate of the what I believe, and where I’m going to 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s. lead. I’ve traveled your State a lot. I know You cannot say that about my opponent. that in certain areas of this State, people Audience members. Boo-o-o! are struggling. But we’re making progress. The President. I think it’s fair to say that Ohio added 5,500 new jobs last month. consistency is not his strong suit. [Laugh- Your unemployment rate has gone from 6.3 ter] I look at an issue and take a principled to 6 percent in one month. This economy stand. My opponent looks at an issue and is strong, and it is getting stronger. tries to take every side. And the people My opponent has an economic plan too. of Ohio know the difference. And that’s He voted to increase taxes 98 times in the one of the reasons why on Tuesday we’re 20 years he’s been in the United States going to carry your great State. Senate.

2890 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Oct. 31

Audience members. Boo-o-o! frivolous and junk lawsuits that make health The President. That’s five times every care too expensive. In all we do to improve year he’s been in the Senate. I would call health care, we will make sure the medical that a leading indicator—[laughter]—a pre- decisions are made by doctors and patients, dictable pattern. Couple that with the fact not by officials in Washington, DC. that he’s promised $2.2 trillion in new Fed- As you can imagine, my opponent has eral spending—that’s trillion with a ‘‘T.’’ a different approach. He voted for the edu- That’s a lot—[laughter]—even for a Senator cation reform but now wants to weaken from Massachusetts. [Laughter] the accountability standards. He’s proposing They asked him how he’s going to pay a big-Government health care plan. I don’t for it. He said, ‘‘Oh, we’ll just tax the rich.’’ know if you remember the debate when The problem is, is that by raising the top they said, ‘‘Tell us about your health care two brackets, one, you penalize the small- plan.’’ And one of the things he said was, business sector of this country, and sec- ‘‘The Government doesn’t have anything to ondly, you only raise between 600 and 800 do with it.’’ I could barely contain myself. billion dollars. That’s far short of the 2.2 [Laughter] The Government has got a lot trillion. That’s what I would call a tax gap. to do with it. Eighty percent of the people Given his record, it’s not hard to figure would end up on the Government plan out who’s going to fill that tax gap. You with his vision. And that is the wrong pre- are. But the good news is, we’re not going scription for American families. to let him tax you; we’re going to win Ohio, Now, we got a different point of view Kentucky, and Indiana. when it comes to our docs and patients. Audience members. Four more years! He voted against medical liability reform Four more years! Four more years! 10 times, and he put a personal-injury trial The President. The second clear choice lawyer on the ticket. in this election involves the quality of life Audience members. Boo-o-o! for our Nation’s families. I ran for Presi- The President. He can run, but he cannot dent to challenge the soft bigotry of low hide. expectations by reforming our public The third clear choice in this election schools. I kept my word. We passed edu- involves your retirement. Our Nation has cation reforms to bring high standards to made a solemn commitment to America’s the classroom. Math and reading scores are seniors on Social Security and Medicare. now on the rise. We’re closing the achieve- When I ran for President 4 years ago, I ment gap for minority children all across promised to keep that commitment and im- this country. My vision for a new term is prove Medicare by adding prescription drug to build on these reforms and extend them coverage. I kept my word. Seniors are al- to our high schools so that no child is left ready getting discounts on medicine with behind in America. drug discount cards. Low-income seniors We’ll continue to improve life for our are getting direct help to pay for prescrip- families by making health care more afford- tions. And beginning in 2006, all seniors able and available. We’ll expand health sav- will be able to get prescription drug cov- ings accounts. We’ll allow small businesses erage under Medicare. to join together and buy insurance at the My opponent has got a record on that. same discounts that big companies are able He voted against the Medicare bill that in- to buy insurance for. We’ll help our fami- cluded prescription drugs. In the campaign, lies in need by expanding community he’s promised to repeal the bill, and then health centers. shortly thereafter, he promised to keep it. And we will help Ohio families and pa- Sounds familiar. He tries to scare seniors tients and doctors by getting rid of the about their Social Security. But he forgets

2891 Oct. 31 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 to mention that he is the one who voted the American President is to protect the eight times to raise taxes on Social Security American people. If America shows uncer- benefits. tainty or weakness during these troubled Audience members. Boo-o-o! times, this world will drift toward tragedy. The President. I have kept the promise This is not going to happen on my watch. of Social Security for our seniors. And I’ll Since that terrible morning of September always keep the promise of Social Security the 11th, 2001, we’ve fought the terrorists for our seniors. And the Social Security across the Earth, not for pride, not for trust is in pretty good shape for baby power but because the lives of our citizens boomers like me and a couple of other are at stake. Our strategy is clear. We’ve folks I see out there. strengthened protections for the homeland. But we need to worry about our children We’re reforming and strengthening our in- and our grandchildren when it comes to telligence services. We’re transforming our Social Security. We need to worry about military. There will be no draft. The All- whether or not the Social Security system Volunteer Army will remain an all-volun- will be there when they retire. And that teer army. We are fighting the terrorists is why I believe younger workers ought to abroad so we do not have to face them be allowed to take some of their payroll here at home. We are determined. We are taxes and put it in a personal savings ac- relentless. And we are succeeding. count, an account that earns a better inter- Afghanistan is free and is an ally in the est, an account they call their own. war on terror. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia The fourth clear choice in this election are making raids and capturing terrorist is on the values that are so crucial to keep- leaders. Libya is dismantling its weapons ing our families strong. I stand for marriage programs. The army of a free Iraq is fight- and family, which are the foundations of ing for freedom. And Al Qaida no longer our society. I stand for a culture of life controls Afghanistan. We’ve shut down its in which every person matters and every camps. We are systematically destroying the being counts. And I proudly signed the ban Al Qaida network across the world. More on partial-birth abortion. And I stand for than three-quarters of Al Qaida’s known the appointment of Federal judges who leaders and associates have been brought know the difference between personal opin- to justice. And the rest of them know we’re ion and the strict interpretation of the law. on their trail. On these issues, my opponent and I are And one of the reasons we’re protecting miles apart. He said he would only appoint America better than we have in the past judges who pass a liberal litmus test. He is because we’ve got a great United States was part of an extreme minority that voted military. I’m proud to be the Commander against the Defense of Marriage Act. He in Chief of such a fine group of people. voted against the ban on partial-birth abor- I want to thank the military families who tion. have joined us today for your sacrifices. Audience members. Boo-o-o! I want to thank the veterans who are here The President. There is a mainstream in for having set such a great example to those American politics, and my opponent sits on who wear the uniform. And I assure you, the far left bank. [Laughter] He can run we’ll keep our commitment to our troops. from his record, but he cannot hide. We’ll make sure they have that which they The final choice in this election is the need to complete their missions. most important of all because it concerns That’s why I went to the United States the security of your family. All progress Congress in September of 2003 and asked on every other issue depends on the safety for $87 billion of supplemental funding. of our citizens. The most solemn duty of That was vital funding. That was necessary

2892 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Oct. 31 funding. That was important funding. And Hussein from Kuwait, Senator Kerry voted we received great support. As a matter of against the use of force to liberate that fact, only 12 Members of the United States country. Senate voted against that funding, 2 of Audience members. Boo-o-o! whom were my opponent and his The President. History has shown that runningmate. Senator Kerry was wrong and former Presi- Audience members. Boo-o-o! dent Bush was right. The President. On national TV, Senator Only a year after the first bombing of Kerry said it would be irresponsible to vote the World Trade Center, the Senator pro- against the troops. And then when the vote posed massive cuts in America’s intel- came around, he did the irresponsible thing ligence, cuts so extreme that his fellow and voted against the troops. Massachusetts Senator opposed them. His- Audience members. Boo-o-o! tory has shown that Senator Kerry was The President. And then he entered the wrong—and we’ve got to be fair—Senator flip-flop hall of fame by saying this— Kennedy was right. [Laughter] [laughter]—‘‘I actually did vote for the 87 We have big differences about how to billion, right before I voted against it.’’ protect you, about how to protect America’s Audience members. Flip-flop! Flip-flop! families. In one of the debates, Senator Flip-flop! Kerry said we must be subject to a ‘‘global The President. He’s given several expla- test’’ before we commit troops. nations for that vote since, but perhaps the Audience members. Boo-o-o! most revealing of all was when he said, The President. I’m not making that up. ‘‘The whole thing was a complicated mat- [Laughter] He wasn’t standing that far away ter.’’ My fellow Americans, there is nothing from me when he said it. [Laughter] The complicated about supporting our troops in best I can tell, my opponent’s ‘‘global test’’ combat. means that America must get permission Senator Kerry has a pattern of switching from foreign capitals before taking action positions in this campaign. In the second to defend our country. debate, he said he always believed Saddam Audience members. Boo-o-o! Hussein was a threat—except, a few ques- The President. I’ll build on our alliances. tions later, when he insisted Saddam Hus- I will work with our friends and allies to sein was not a threat. He said he was right protect ourselves and to protect freedom. when he voted to authorize the use of force But I will never submit America’s national against Saddam Hussein but that I was security decisions to leaders of other coun- wrong to use force against Saddam Hus- tries. sein. Senator Kerry the other day said that Yet, the problems with Senator Kerry’s September the 11th didn’t change him record on national security are deeper than much. September the 11th changed my election-year reversals. For 20 years, on the outlook. I remember standing in the ruins largest national security issues of our time, of the Twin Towers on September the he has been consistently wrong. During the 14th, 2001. It’s a day I will never forget. cold war, Senator Kerry voted against crit- There were workers in hardhats yelling at ical weapon systems and opposed President me at the top of their lungs, ‘‘Whatever Ronald Reagan’s policy of peace through it takes.’’ I remember the first-responder strength. History has shown that Senator who had just come out of the rubble who Kerry was wrong and President Ronald grabbed me by the arm, and he looked Reagan was right. me square in the eye, and he said, ‘‘Don’t When former President Bush assembled let me down.’’ Ever since that day, I wake an international coalition to drive Saddam up every morning trying to figure out how

2893 Oct. 31 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 to better protect our country. I will never to who can you trust—who can you trust relent in defending America, whatever it to provide security for your family? Who takes. can you trust to make sure this economy Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! continues to grow? U.S.A.! If you believe that taxes should stay low The President. We will continue to use so families can pay the bills and small busi- all our Nation’s assets to protect the Amer- nesses can create jobs, I ask, come stand ican people. We will wage a comprehensive with me. strategy to protect you. Perhaps the strong- If you believe in high standards for our est asset we have is freedom. See, I believe public schools, I ask you to come stand in the power of liberty to transform soci- with me. eties. I believe free nations do not breed If you believe that patients and doctors resentments and export terror. Free nations should be in charge of the health care, become allies in the war on terror. Free- I ask you to come stand with me. dom will help us keep the peace we all If you believe this Nation must honor long for for our children. the commitments of Medicare and Think about what’s happened in the re- strengthen Social Security for generations cent history of the world. It wasn’t all that to come, I ask you, come stand with me. long ago that young girls couldn’t go to If you believe this Nation should honor school in Afghanistan because that country marriage and family and make a place for was run by the barbarians called the the weak and the vulnerable, I ask you Taliban. And if their mothers didn’t toe to come stand with me. their line of ideological hatred, they would If you believe that America should fight be whipped in the public square and some- the war on terror with all our might and times executed in the sports stadium. But lead with unwavering confidence in our because we acted to defend ourselves, be- ideals, I ask you to come stand with me. cause we acted to uphold a doctrine which If you are a Democrat who believes your said, ‘‘If you harbor a terrorist, you’re party has turned too far to the left this equally as guilty as the terrorist,’’ millions year, I ask you to come stand with me. of people went to the polls to vote for If you are a minority citizen and you a President in Afghanistan. The first voter believe in free enterprise and good schools was a 19-year-old woman. and the enduring values of family and faith, Iraq is a dangerous place today because and if you’re tired of your vote being taken Iraq is moving toward freedom. There will for granted, I ask you to come stand with be elections in Iraq in January. And think me. how far that society has come from the And if you are a voter who believes that days of torture chambers and mass graves. the President of the United States should Freedom is on the march in this world, say what he means and do what he says and America is more secure because of it. and keep his word, I ask you to come stand Much of our foreign policy is driven by with me. my deep belief that everybody yearns to In 2000, when I campaigned across the be free. See, freedom is not America’s gift State of Ohio and Indiana and Kentucky, to the world; freedom is the Almighty I made this pledge: I said if I got elected, God’s gift to each man and woman in this I would uphold the honor and the dignity world. of the office to which I had been elected. These are historic times, and a lot is With your help, with your hard work, I at stake in this election. The future safety will do so for 4 more years. and prosperity of America are on the ballot. God bless, and thanks for coming. Thank But ultimately, this election comes down you all.

2894 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Nov. 1

NOTE: The President spoke at 8:07 p.m. at Auditor of State Betty Montgomery of Ohio; the Great American Ball Park. In his re- pro football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz; marks, he referred to pro baseball Hall of Marty Brennaman, broadcaster, Major Famer Johnny Bench; Mary Bunning, wife League Baseball Cincinnati Reds; enter- of Senator ; Ohio State Treas- tainers the Gatlin Brothers and the Wil urer Joseph T. Deters, write-in candidate for Gravatt Band; and former President Saddam county prosecutor, Hamilton County, OH; Hussein of Iraq.

Remarks in Wilmington, Ohio November 1, 2004

The President. Thank you all for coming is with us today too. Thank you all for today. There’s nothing like an early morn- coming. Appreciate you being here. ing rally in the great State of Ohio. I can’t I’m proud to be here with Michael think of a better place to kick off the last DeWine and his wife, Fran, the Senator day of this campaign than with the good from the great State of Ohio. I’m asking folks here in Ohio. I want to thank you you to make sure you vote for George for coming. Thank you for your support. Voinovich for United States Senator. I want With your help, we will carry this great to thank Congressman Mike Turner for State and win tomorrow. being here and his wife, Lori. I’m here to ask for your help. You get I want to thank your Governor, Bob Taft, your friends and neighbors to go to the and your Lieutenant Governor, Jennette polls. Find our fellow Republicans, wise Bradley, for coming today. Thank you all independents, and discerning Democrats, for coming. I want to thank all the State and tell them, if they want a safer America and local officials. and a stronger America and a better Amer- I want to thank the entertainment, the ica, to put me and Dick Cheney back in Wil Gravatt Band and the Wilmington, East office. Clinton, Blanchester, and Clinton-Massie Perhaps the most important reason why High School marching bands. I will try to people ought to put me back in is so that keep my remarks short so you can make Laura is the First Lady for 4 more years. sure you study before class starts. [Laugh- I’m proud of my runningmate, Dick Che- ter] ney. You know, he doesn’t have the waviest I’m here with a message for the people hair in the race. [Laughter] You’ll be of Ohio. I know the economy of this State pleased to hear I didn’t pick him because has been through a lot, but we are moving of his hairdo. [Laughter] I picked him be- in the right direction. And to do so, we’ve cause he can get the job done. I picked got to keep your taxes low. And I want him because of his experience. I picked you to remind your friends and neighbors him because of his judgment. that my opponent will raise the taxes on I’m proud to be traveling today with Curt Ohio’s families and Ohio’s small businesses. Schilling. Everybody knows him as a great Audience members. Boo-o-o! pitcher. I know him as a great husband, The President. In a new term, I will put a great dad, and a man of great character. pro-growth—keep pro-growth, pro-small- He’s a champion on the field, and he’s business, pro-farmer policies in place. I will a champion off the field. And like me, he defend your deepest values, and I will work married well, and I’m proud that Shonda every day to make sure your families are

2895